VALDOSTA — Former chairman and commissioner, G. Norman Bennett, has announced his candidacy as a Republican Candidate for Chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. Bennett feels that his educational background, years of experience in the paper industry, 20 years of service on the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners including four years as Chairman and 16 years as Vice-Chair combined with the commitment to serve will enable him to continue moving Lowndes County forward in a progressive, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

Bennett believes that education, economic development, transportation, and community structure impact local government, which Bennett subscribes to and always worked. Bennett’s platform will revolve around these areas to include the development and adoption of a plan to increase the number of commissioners, support educational efforts to improve graduation rates both locally and at the state level, work diligently to recruit quality companies with decent paying jobs, improve and support all transportation needs and objectives for Lowndes County including our regional airport, develop and maintain a good working relationship with Valdosta, our smaller cities, and other organizations within our area to preserve our values, and establish and maintain a coalition of counties in our surrounding area for South Georgia to explore and deal with the evolving regional concept.

Bennett had an extensive career and experience in the paper business, a highly competitive and capital intense industry. Bennett began an hourly employee and worked his way up to one of the senior managers at the PCA Mill in South Lowndes County prior to his retirement in 2005. He served in positions such as safety director, manufacturing control and human resources. Bennett is also a registered mediator with the state of Georgia for civil cases.

In the area of community service, Norman has worked with many charitable and civic organizations as the Heart Fund, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, and United Way. He also served on the VSU Foundation for six years and was president of the VSU Alumni Association for two years. Bennett currently serves on the United Way board, Public Health Home Health board, and the State Personnel board as well as being a member of the Lowndes County Farm Bureau and the Valdosta-Lowndes, Quitman-Brooks, and Adel-Cook County Chambers of Commerce. Bennett is also a veteran having served in the United States Marine Corps.

A Native of South Georgia, Bennett graduated from Valdosta High School followed by Valdosta State University to earn a degree in Business Administration and later received an MBA from Florida Atlantic university.

He is married to Robin Moran Bennett, principal of Moulton-Branch Elementary; the couple have six children and nine grandchildren. The Bennetts worship at Crossroads Baptist Church.

Bennett said, “I am a negotiator, mediator, and a facilitator, but most of all I am an initiator. I believe in closing gaps and filling voids when and where they exist and finding common ground.” “I look forward to qualifying, hitting the campaign trail, talking with people to hear their concerns, and working to make Lowndes County and our cities one of the best in the state to live, work, and play. I have the time, proven ability, and commitment and love the local level of government. It’s where the action is and together, we can make good things happen for the betterment of all.”

For information or any questions, please call 229-794-2588 or e-mail nbennett1@alltel.net or write G. Norman Bennett, Bennett for Chairman at P.O. Box, Valdosta, GA 31603.